Kerala High Court dismisses petition by bodybuilder challenging KAT order staying his basic training for appointment as Inspector
The Kerala High Court dismissed a petition by bodybuilder Shinu Chovva challenging a tribunal order that blocked his participation in police training. The court upheld the decision, noting that the state is currently reconsidering his controversial appointment as an Inspector.
Why it matters
The case highlights legal and administrative scrutiny regarding the recruitment of sports figures into specialized government roles.
The Kerala High Court has dismissed bodybuilder Shinu Chovva’s petition challenging a Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) order which refused his request to allow him to take part in the basic training at Thrissur Police Academy.
The Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice S. Muralee Krishna held it could not allow his request as the State had decided to reconsider his appointment order.
Mr. Chovva, along with Chitharesh Natesan, another bodybuilding champion, was appointed Inspector in the armed police battalion of the Kerala Police in January 2025. However, their appointments creating supernumerary posts in the armed police forces had sparked a controversy, and a petition was filed seeking a Vigilance probe into the appointments.
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